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Areas of a Home You Should Never Insulate

Umito November 3, 2024

Winter always feels like a game of chicken to see how long you can last before turning on the heating full time. If this sounds like you, you’ve probably already thought about ways to improve your home’s insulation. But in your attempt to save on your energy bills, it’s worth noting that there are certain areas of a home that you shouldn’t insulate.

If insulation is installed incorrectly or in the wrong location, it could actually do more harm than good. Although there are a number of places that you should definitely consider when it comes to how to insulate your housethere are some that should never be isolated.

1. Near or around heaters, boilers and radiators

As you might expect, avoid placing insulation too close to the best electric heaters or boilers, as this can cause several problems. “Insulating too close to these units risks overheating them, leading to equipment failure, system inefficiency, and even fire hazards. These spaces require adequate ventilation to properly disperse heat,” explains Mike Storey, insulation expert at UK flat roofing and insulation specialists.

It is also imperative to keep the space around boiler flues clear, as blocking them can interfere with ventilation and create safety hazards. Insulation around radiators and other heating methods can also “reduce their effectiveness in heated rooms because they need good airflow to circulate heat efficiently,” says heating expert Gary Jarman. building at Construction workshop.

Boiler in cupboard

(Image credit: Future/Colin Poole)

2. Around air vents

Air vents can often make our homes a little colder, especially in the fall and winter when temperatures begin to drop. But “although they can feel drafty, you should never let insulation cover a vent or use windproof materials to block them.” MyJobQuote.co.ukReal estate and construction expert Thomas Goodman reveals.

“This includes air vents on fireplace chestsin the roof and the overhead bricks under the suspended floors. Blocking them prevents air movement, which traps moisture,” he continues. And this can lead to significant moisture problems in the long term.

A kitchen with an exposed brick wall and copper light fixtures on the wall

(Image credit: Future PLC/Davit Parmiter)

3. On electrical cables and wiring

‘Attic insulation cabling is another tricky issue,” says Mark Glenney, founder of The stairlift store. “In general, it’s safe to lightly cover electrical cables, but don’t wrap them too tightly,” he continues. This is because wiring needs space to dissipate heat and tightly wrapping insulation around or over cables or wiring can increase the risk of overheating. So you’ll want to check “the type of insulation and ensure it complies with British Standards: there are guidelines on safe distances between insulation and electrical components for a reason.” And many experts share this sentiment.

“Covering wiring with loft insulation is generally a good thing, but you need to make sure your wiring is properly rated and that all junction boxes are properly insulated so they don’t overheat and cause a risk of overheating. ‘fire’, Becky Lane, co-founder and CEO of Furbnowagrees. “When in doubt, having your wiring checked or upgraded before installing this insulation is always a smart decision.”

Not only can this cause wires and cables to overheat, but it “can reduce the current-carrying capacity of the cable,” says Paul Spence, technical director at Warmly. Essentially, “cables should only be covered with insulation if an electrical expert has confirmed that it will not reduce capacity too much,” he says.

Gold painted bedroom with bed, fireplace and sofa with period features

(Image credit: Future PLC)

4. Cavity walls in older properties

Although most cavity walls can be insulated – and this is probably one of the most common places where insulation needs to be added – there are a few cases where it is best not to, experts agree. For example, did you know that older homes and properties were built with solid walls intended to breathe? And because these walls rely on airflow passing through them to manage humidity, “poor cavity wall insulation can lead to condensation problems,” informs David Miloshev, an electrician and home improvement expert at Fantastic services.

If you are considering cavity wall insulation in an older property, you may need to use breathable insulation materials to maintain this ability.

Dining room with white radiator and wooden dining table with accessories

(Image credit: Future PLC)

5. Boards under the floor in older properties

Again, this mainly concerns older homes and Luis Montes, structural engineer, heavy equipment expert and editor-in-chief of FortisHDproposes that the underground spaces of “old houses” should not be insulated. Indeed, “some older British houses have suspended wooden floors with air bricks around the base.” And these air bricks help ventilate the area and prevent any moisture buildup. But as soon as you insulate or block off this area, moisture could become trapped under the floor, leading to wood rot and even structural problems in the worst case.

“This mistake cost people expensive repairs,” reveals Luis.

6. Attic or eaves

Blocking them can also cause condensation, damp and even mold to build up, “and it’s important to keep them free so the lifespan of the roof is not compromised,” warns Gary. The last thing you want is to have to replace your roof because you have poorly insulated your eaves.

Rendered house painted yellow with red tiles

(Image credit: Future PLC/Darren Chung)

7. All Wet Areas in Your Home

There is nothing more frustrating than finding damp or excess humidity and condensation in your home. But if you’re planning to insulate an area that’s already prone to moisture, it’s not a good idea.

“If you don’t deal with the moisture first, the insulation will trap it and lead to mold or rot. And this will compromise the insulation over time and reduce its effectiveness, or even weaken surrounding structures,” explains Mike.

It is therefore important to solve any humidity problems before you even think about insulating these areas of your home, because not only could this make the problem worse, but you could essentially be wasting your time and money by installing any type of insulation before it has been fixed . You may have a leak or something as simple as excess condensation – understand why this is happening before you consider insulating this part of your home.

Yellow bedroom with white bedding and a silver radiator hanging on the wall under a window

(Image credit: Future/James French)

FAQs

Can too much insulation cause damp?

“It’s not that there’s too much insulation, but rather that there’s too little ventilation,” says Thomas. Essentially, “the wrong type of insulation can also cause dampness. For example, using non-permeable insulation under a wood floor will block air circulation, leading to moisture buildup that can cause joists and floorboards to rot. Likewise, older homes are built with solid walls designed to breathe. So you may need to use breathable insulation materials to maintain this ability,” adds Thomas.

It’s also important that your walls are in good condition before you start insulating them, otherwise you risk making damp problems worse. For example, if you apply mineral wool insulation to the interior of your walls before addressing existing moisture issues, it may sag and lose its insulating properties, and it will also begin to mold and damp your walls.

What areas of your home need insulation?

Although we have described some places that should not be isolated, there are some that can make a big difference in a positive way. The most obvious area is your roof or attic, because according to experts, about 25% of the home’s heat is lost through the roof. “It’s also one of the easiest and cheapest places to add insulation,” says Thomas. “Roof insulation costs around £25 and can be installed yourself if you’re on a tight budget. Or, if you have a vaulted roof, you should add insulation between the rafters instead. Remember to leave some space for ventilation.

And given that it can save you hundreds of dollars on your energy bills, it’s something to seriously consider. Another area you may want to pay attention to is your hot water pipes and tanks. By insulating them, you help the entire heating system retain its heat, which helps it run more efficiently and prevent any heat loss that could save you money on your invoices.

There are therefore a number of points to consider before you start insulating your home, whether by DIY or by consulting a professional.

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Apre-salomemanzo

Areas of a Home You Should Never Insulate

1. Near or around heaters, boilers and radiators

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Areas of a Home You Should Never Insulate

1. Near or around heaters, boilers and radiators

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